Tetracycline is used for treating infections caused by certain bacteria. Tetracycline is a tetracycline antibiotic. It works by slowing the growth of sensitive bacteria by interfering with the production of proteins needed by the bacteria to grow. Slowing the bacteria's growth allows the body's defense mechanisms to destroy them.

INSTRUCTIONS

Use Tetracycline as directed by your doctor.

Take Tetracycline by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.

Take Tetracycline with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL). Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking Tetracycline.

If you also take antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium; preparations containing bismuth, iron, zinc, or sodium bicarbonate; or calcium rich foods (eg, milk, dairy products, calcium-enriched juices), do not take them within 2 to 3 hours before or after taking Tetracycline. Check with your doctor if you have questions.

To clear up your infection completely, take Tetracycline for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.

If you miss a dose of Tetracycline, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Tetracycline.

STORAGE

Store Tetracycline at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), in a tightly closed, light-resistant container. Keep away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Tetracycline out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Do NOT use Tetracycline if:

you are allergic to any ingredient in Tetracycline or other tetracycline antibiotics (eg, doxycycline)

you are taking acitretin or methoxyflurane.

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Some medical conditions may interact with Tetracycline. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

if you have diarrhea, a stomach infection, or kidney problems.

Some medicines may interact with Tetracycline. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Acitretin or isotretinoin because side effects, such as increased pressure in the fluid surrounding the brain, may occur

Digoxin, methotrexate, methoxyflurane, or oral anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Tetracycline

Atovaquone, lithium, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), or penicillins (eg, amoxicillin) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Tetracycline.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Tetracycline may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Important safety information:

Tetracycline may cause dizziness or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Tetracycline with caution. Do not drive or perform other possible unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.

Be sure to use Tetracycline for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.

Tetracycline may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Tetracycline. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.

Do not use after expiration date. Outdated medicine is highly toxic to the kidneys.

Long-term or repeated use of Tetracycline may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.

Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while you are using Tetracycline. To prevent pregnancy, use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms).

Lab tests may be performed while you use Tetracycline. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

Use of Tetracycline in children may cause permanent discoloring of the teeth.

Tetracycline should be used with extreme caution in children younger 8 years; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Tetracycline has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Tetracycline while you are pregnant. Tetracycline is found in breast milk. Do not breastfeed while taking Tetracycline.

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome: